Martin Short and Shania Twain in Final Talks to Join ABC's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: A 30TH CELEBRATION TV Special
Martin Short (The Three Amigos, Only Murders in the Building) and country music star and Grammy Award-winning singer Shania Twain are in final talks to join the ABC special, Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration. If the contracts get signed, Short will play Lumière, the suave and funny candlestick, while Twain will take on the role of Mrs. Potts, previously played by Angela Lansbury. This would put her in place to sing the title song, “Beauty and the Beast,” and I think that’s an awesome casting decision.
Previously announced cast members include Oscar winner H.E.R. as Belle, Grammy winner Josh Groban as Beast, Joshua Henry as Gaston, and David Alan Grier as Cogsworth, as well as EGOT legend Rita Moreno, who will serve as the show’s narrator in the live-action/animated hybrid production.
The Hamish Hamilton-directed special will be filmed live and feature never-before-seen musical performances. Jamal Sims is serving as executive producer and choreographer. Set design is by Julio Himede with costumes by Marina Toybina (The Masked Singer).
Jon M. Chu is executive producing the special, which is being produced by Done+Dusted in association with Walt Disney Television Alternative and Electric Somewhere.
The special will premiere on December 15th on ABC and stream on Disney+ the next day.